Blog Tour: Against My Will by Benjamin Berkley

Welcome to The Wormhole and my day on the tour.
Presented by Teddy Rose at Virtual Author Book Tours. 

It is my pleasure to feature Benjamin Berkley and his book

Against My Will.

Publisher: Frederick Fell Publishers, Inc., September 1, 2012
Category: Fiction- Relationships, Abuse, Romance, Holocaust, Suspense
Tour Dates: February, 2013
Available in: Print and PDF, 247 pages

AGAINST MY WILL is the life changing novel about Danielle, a victim of marital abuse, who finds the strength to leave her husband and pursue a career in law.

Danielle Landau knows she should feel lucky, but she can’t feel anything but dread. Not only did she pass the New York Bar, but she married the man her father says is just right for her and lives in a fashionable new loft in Queens. But the man who seems like the perfect catch is a perfect nightmare at home. Jacob tries to control her career, her daily routine, and even what she eats. He ignores her desires and belittles her every chance he gets. Soon, Danielle doesn’t recognize her husband or herself, and she struggles to find a way out.

Danielle tries to talk to her father but he dismisses her marital problems.  But she can confide in her Nana Rose, a Holocaust survivor who lost her entire family at the hands of the Nazis. Rose helped raise Danielle and her brother when their mother died when Danielle was only three.  Having faced death, Rose is Danielle’s source of security.  But while Danielle holds on to the fragile belief that her father’s prince charming will change, she is raped by her husband on the night of their one year wedding anniversary.

Now, Danielle has to escape.  And with the help of her beloved Nana, Danielle moves across the country and starts to rebuild her life. But will she be able to escape her past? And when one of her clients finds herself in the same terrible situation, will Danielle have the strength to help her?

As we follow Danielle on her journey of terror and recovery, we see her story intersect with the diary entries of her Nana as a young girl held captive in a concentration camp.  The entries begin with Rose waking up in a hospital after the liberation of the Mauthausen Concentration Camp.    Graphically she recounts the train ride to the camp and the emotional separation of her from her family upon arrival.    And the full weight of the family’s secrets becomes clear. This is a story of survival, self-discovery, justice, and ultimately, it’s about love.

About Benjamin Berkley:

“Against My Will” is Benjamin Berkley’s fifth book and debut novel.  He is also the author of four self-help books:       “My Wishes, Your Plan for Organizing Your Family’s Needs” (Sourcebooks, June, 2006)   “The Complete Executor’s Guide” (Sourcebooks, June 2007)   “Winning Your Social Security Disability Case” (Sourcebooks, February, 2008) and “Before You Say I Do Again, A Buyer’s Beware Guide to Remarriage.” (Frederick Fell Publishers, September, 2009).

And though writing is his passion, for over 34 years he has conducted a busy law practice in which he has seen many interesting clients come through his door.  One in particular, an older woman with white hair, the kindest smile, and an amazing story became the inspiration for one of his characters for “Against My Will.”   Berkley lives in southern California with his wife Phyllis and their cat Riley.   He has two grown children and is always bragging about his most beautiful grandson and granddaughter.

Benjamin Berkley’s Website
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BenjaminBerkley 
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Benjamin-Berkley/365105946878419

Ben has joined us for an interview:

? When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? 

For fun, I started writing short stories in third grade.  And I always had the bug to write but not the time.

? How many jobs did you have before you became a writer?

Though writing is my passion, I am a full time attorney.

? How long does it take you to write a book?

I have written four self-help books before my novel.  And that process is a lot faster.  Likewise, Against My Will took well over a year.

? What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk? 

I jog every morning and race home with ideas that came into my mind.

? Where do you get your ideas or inspiration for your characters?

The character of Irene is based on my client, Irene Opdyke whom I represented.  The other characters all come from persons I met sometime in my life.

? How do you decide what you want to write about?

I look for a theme that includes social issues.  And then I bounce it off my adult children for their knee jerk reaction.

? What books have most influenced your life?

Memoirs and autobiographies.

? What are you reading right now?

 I am not reading right now as I am too busy writing.

? What do you like to do when you are not writing?

 Tennis and playing with my grandkids but not necessarily in that order.

? What is your favorite comfort food?

Licorice if that can be considered a comfort food.

? What do you think makes a good story?

If the story reads like a play or movie.  That is, I like my characters to seem so real that the reader feels that they are in the room with him.

? Who would you consider your favorite author and why?

 Warren Adler, author of War of the Roses and many more.  I had the pleasure of spending time with him and his advice was so meaningful.

Fun random questions: 

·        dogs or cats? Our precious cat Riley

·        Coffee or tea? Only coffee ice cream, otherwise tea.

·        Dark or milk chocolate? If I had to choose, it would be dark.

·        Rocks or flowers? Flowers

·        Night or day? Night

·        Favorite color? Blue

·        Crayons or markers? Markers

·        Pens or pencils? Pens

Buy Against My Will at:  Amazon.com ~ Barnes and Noble ~ Book Depository